Manufacture of splints



(No Model.)

J. ILLEB.

MANUFAGTURE of' sPLINTs.

No. 366,120'. Patented July 5, 1887.

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rIhvrrnn STATES AfrnNfr ENCE@ J. ELLVVOOD LEE, OF GONSHOHOCKEN, PENNSYLVANIA.

MANUFACTURE oF sPLiNTs.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366.120, dated July 5, 1887.

Application filed February 7, i887. Serial No. 226,836. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. ELLwooD LEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Conshohocken, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in the Manufacture of Splints, of which the following is a specification.

The main object of my invention is to so l construct splints for surgical use that a less the ankle-joint.

number of splints than heretofore will be required to make a complete set for the various different fractures of the limbs of the human body.

Sets of splints as heretofore made usually include different splints for the right and the left limbs. Ordinary splints which are made to tit the right leg, for instance, cannot well be used for the left leg, since they would not adapt themselves to the shape of the limb with thatv closeness and comfort which is essential for the proper knitting of the fractured bones. I so construct my improved splints that they may be applied with equal effect to the right or to the left limbs for which they are severally constructed, so that a complete set of my improved splints need not exceed twentyone in number, even including two different sizes* one for adults and one for children.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side view yof what is termed a tibia and iibula splint applied to the lower part of the leg for fractures and other injuries of the leg below the knee, especially those at or about Fig. 2 is a similar view of a patella-splint for fractures of the femur to the middle ofthe tibia and iibula. Figs. 3, 4f, and 5 are sectional views of molds, illustrating the manner of making the splints; and Fig. 6 is a rear view of a patellalsplint constructed in accordance with my improvement.

My invention may be carried into effect with splints made of different materials; but the kind I prefer to use are metallic and made of very thin copper-about one-eightieth of an inch in thickness-so that they are very light; and as they are made troughshaped, they are lieXible and pliable transversely and yet quite firm longitudinally. As shown in the drawings, perforations are formed in the metallic splints to allow of ventilation and to allow secretions and moisture to pass off through these openings. A slight roughness is left on the outside of the splints in the formation of the perforations in order to prevent the bandages from slipping. The splints are also preferably nickel-plated, for purposes of cleanliness and to prevent oxidation.

To make the splints applicable to either the right or left limb, I proceed in the following manner: I Erst take a plaster cast of either the-right or left limb for which the splint is to beused. For instance, to make either of the splints shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cast is first taken of either the right or left leg-say of the left leg, as shown in Fig. I then cut the plaster mold into two halves on the dotted line, Fig. 3, and remove that half, A, which has the less prominent curves ork recesses formed init by the contour of the leg. Into the box containing the remaining half, B, is placed the right leg, and plaster-ofparis is then poured into the space a, Figs. 4 and 5, left by the removal of the half A. y There is thus formed a compound mold, shaped on one side by the most prominent projections or curves of the left leg and on the other side by the most prominent projections or curves of the right leg. From this mold a metal die is made by casting, and in connection with the die there is formed a corresponding matrix, by means of which the metallic splints are stamped up to the form of die-that is, with curves on one side to conform to thelarger outline of the right limb and on the other side to conform to the larger outline of the left limb. These splints can thus be applied to either limb, for they are sufficiently flexible transversely, owing to the thinness and lightness of the metal, to be conformed closely to all parts of the limb by the bandage. In other words, they are sufficiently fieXible 'and pliable to be closed in to lit the limbsaccurately, with but little more pressure than is ordinarily used in binding on the bandage; but longitudinally the splints are quite stiff and rigid.

Instead of making the compound mold in' the manner above described, I may take separate casts of the right and left limbs, and after cutting each cast in two halves those halves which have the largest recesses may be joined together to make the compound mold, to be used as before described.

Although I have illustrated my invention as applied only to splints for legs,` it will be understood that splints for other parts of the body may be made in the same Way.

I claim as my invention- 1. The mode herein described of making splint-s applicable to `either the right-or left limb, said mode consisting in Iirst making a compound mold of the right limb on one side and of the left limb on the other, forming dies from such compound mold, and pressing the splints into shape by the dies thus made.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a splint shaped on one side to, the larger outline of a right limb and on the other side to the larger I5 outline of a corresponding left limb, but exible transversely to conform to either limb, substantially as set forth. A

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 2o two subscribing Witnesses.

J. ELLWOOD LEE.

Witnesses: A

WILLIAM D. CoNNER, HARRY SMITH. 

